The BBC prison drama Time returns for its third series this evening, but creator Jimmy McGovern has confirmed it will be the final outing. The show, which first launched in 2021, has previously featured Stephen Graham, Jodie Whittaker and Bella Ramsey.
Focus on Young Offenders
McGovern said that while the first series centred on a male prison and the second on a female prison, he wanted to spotlight young offenders next, though he initially lacked a narrative. That changed when he uncovered a true story during his research about a mother visiting her son in a young offender institution, whom she had not seen for years. Despite her inability to speak English and his unfamiliarity with her native tongue, which McGovern confirms is Swahili, the storyline was developed for the BBC.
Speaking to RadioTimes, McGovern said: "There's very little altruism involved with these stories. I do them because I love doing them, although I think this will be the last time. I have said that many a time before, though, because these are also stories I feel bound to tell."
Plot and Cast
The synopsis for the third series explains that viewers will see two young offenders battling through the frightening initial weeks and months of their imprisonment. An unexpected bond between them appears poised to alter the course of their lives. Meanwhile, Prison Chaplain Marie-Louise (Siobhan Finneran) comes to the young offender institution having lost her faith.
When tragedy strikes in the prison, Marie-Louise clashes with veteran officer Bailey (David Tennant), a man in the midst of his own crisis. Bailey knows more about the circumstances that led to this major incident – but will he come clean before the guilt gets too much?
Critical Acclaim
Since the programme first launched five years ago, it has received widespread acclaim, with some viewers calling it a masterpiece. On Rotten Tomatoes, one viewer commented: "Absolutely riveting drama, a must-watch from start to finish. Brilliantly acted and excellent plot." On IMDb, another remarked: "I expected a mediocre show, but got a well-crafted masterpiece. In its two seasons, each with three episodes, 'Time' tells the stories of two people who are imprisoned for the first time and, in my opinion, it does this excellently."
Joining David Tennant and Siobhan Finneran in the third instalment are Vinette Robinson, Jo Joyner, Daniel Ryan, Warren Brown, Louis McCartney, Ollie McNulty and Chukwubuikem Molokwu. Time airs on Sunday, October 11 on BBC One at 9pm.
